The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the Illinois Community College Board, and the transfer coordinators of Illinois colleges and universities jointly launched the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) to help ease the transfer of students among Illinois public and independent, associate and bachelor’s degree-granting institutions. The IAI fosters seamless transfer among more than 100 participating institutions through the development of a general education core curriculum and establishment of faculty panels to articulate courses that prepare students for work in specific majors.
The ability of an Illinoisan to transfer academic credits helps to provide access to high-quality educational opportunities that prepare them for the jobs of the present and the future. Improving access while respecting and supporting the integrity of institutional and sector missions is part of the A Thriving Illinois Strategic Plan. For more information about the State's vision and plan for Transfer and Higher Education see Growth Strategy 8 - Strengthen the statewide, coordinated transfer system to ensure students have seamless paths to build on previous academic learning and earn postsecondary credentials.
UPDATE: Signed into Law on 8/4/2023 as Public Act 103-0469, The Illinois Articulation Initiative Act (110 ILCS 152) has been updated to clarify language and require an Elementary and Secondary Education Panel. For Additional Information, please see the linked FAQ Document (PDF).
The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall co-manage the implementation, oversight, and evaluation of the Illinois Articulation Initiative, including determining when panels must be discontinued or convened and the specific requirements of the General Education Core Curriculum. Panels must be convened across the fields of General Education, Communications, Humanities and Fine Arts, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Mathematics, and other fields as determined by the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board.
The Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board shall provide a joint report on an annual basis to the General Assembly, the Governor, and the Illinois P-20 Council on the status of the Illinois Articulation Initiative and the implementation of this Act.
All public institutions shall participate in the Illinois Articulation Initiative through submission and review of their courses for statewide transfer. All public institutions shall maintain a complete GECC package; all courses approved for IAI GECC codes must be accepted for transfer as fulfilling parts of the GECC package; and students completing the full GECC package must not be required to take additional lower-division general education courses and must be able to transfer seamlessly.
Illinois Articulation Initiative provides information about a guaranteed package of general education courses which is transferable among more than 100 participating college or universities in Illinois.
10/2023 Webinar on Updated Guidance (10-4-23 Webinar.mp4)
10/2023 Slides (IAI Webinar Slides 10-4-23.pdf)
2023 IAI Legislative Update (IAI Amendments.pdf)